Listening Post

QUEEN OF GIVING — Nordaunian AZA held its annual Matzo Ball Saturday night. After being crowned queen in 2010, Meryl Engle dedicated her philanthropic efforts to Head for the Cure. She chose the charity because brain cancer was all too familiar to her and many of her friends. She worked with her uncle, Jim Engle, owner of James Engle Custom Homes, to build a house and donate the profits to HFTC. Meryl personally worked to engage a plethora of subcontractors to provide their services and supplies at no cost or at a reduced cost. In some cases, subcontractors even contributed a donation. During Saturday night’s festivities, she presented a check for $57,365 to HFTC. Meryl is the daughter of Teala and John Engle.

Kara Kahn, a freshman at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and the daughter of Fred and Sherri Kahn, was presented the 2011 crown.

CHAI CELEBRATION — The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education will honor the Jewish community’s Holocaust survivors in celebration of its 18th anniversary on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The evening will feature a performance by musical legend Marvin Hamlisch. More information regarding this grand night of entertainment and celebration will be available soon!

SAVE THE DATE — Matisyahu, known as an American Chasidic Jewish Reggae musician, is coming to Crossroads KC at Grinders on Thursday, July 7. Stay tuned for more information.

MOTHER’S DAY RADIO — Ron Zoglin and Deborah Shouse recorded two Mother’s Day stories that were aired on Jabulani Leffall’s Central Standard yesterday (Thursday, May 5) on KCUR-FM, 89.3. We’re told the recordings can also be accessed on the station’s website, www.kcur.org.

AEPi ROCK-A-THON — The Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish fraternity at the University of Missouri-Columbia recently held its annual Rock-A-Thon raising more than $80,000 for The American Cancer Society. That’s the the largest amount raised by this bi-annual fundraiser to date. This year’s rocker, Lenny Goldman of Buffalo Grove, Ill., rocked for 63 consecutive hours. Kansas Citian Jeff Mallin was the fraternity’s rocker 30 years ago. In support of the event his mother, Beverly Mallin, quit smoking when her then college-age son stood up after completing the 63-hour-rocking-marathon. Jeff Mallin stopped by to support the event again this year and to visit his son and Beverly’s grandson, Zach, a freshman member of AEPi.

FEDERATION TO HELP
SOUTHERN U.S. — The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City has opened an emergency relief fund to provide aid and support to the victims of the more than 100 tornadoes that ripped through the Southern U.S. earlier this week. In conjunction with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), and the Birmingham Jewish Federation, we are working to support relief efforts.

Credit card donations may also be made over the phone by contacting Gail Weinberg at (913) 327-8123. Donations may be mailed to: The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, Att: Tornado Recovery Fund, 5801 W. 115 St., Suite 201, Overland Park, KS 66211.